Wallet cases for iPhones aren’t just reserved for boomers and airport dads, they also make good sense. Combining your phone with your wallet frees up a pocket, space in your bag, and even a spare hand when you’re in the checkout line. So what took so long for wallet cases to have their moment?
Most wallet cases used to be of the folio variety – the ones that open and close like a book. They were huge, and that front flap vastly complicated simple phone activities like talking, taking pics, or texting. And good luck putting that leather-adorned phone in a car mount and using it for GPS.
The folio iPhone case is still around, but the best wallet cases for iPhones have evolved into a design that’s far less bulky and better for a variety of uses. And while it was cool that you could make your phone look like an old leatherbound copy of Great Expectations, today’s wallet cases are far more style-savvy.
The Best iPhone Wallet Cases: Sourced From Experts
What the Experts Say
“Today’s options are sleek, slim, and stylish,” says Brian Boyé, men’s fashion expert and former Fashion Director for Men’s Health. “The best thing about them is that they keep everything in one place and force one to edit. This is not the place where old receipts go to live out their final days.”
Related Stories
The benefits of today’s scaled-down iPhone wallet cases go beyond just style and function. “Do it for your back,” Boyé says. “For decades, experts have told us that sitting on a bulky wallet can cause spinal alignment issues and back pain. It’s 2024 – let technology save your back. Move the contents of your wallet to your phone and carry only the essentials in a case wallet.”
Boyé and other experts have helped pick out some great iPhone wallet cases that check all the style and function boxes:
MagBak Wallet
“One of my favorites is the Mag Bak, which sells magnetic phone cases and wallets separately,” Boyé says. This minimalist wallet case has a powerful magnet which is not only a super-secure MagSafe accessory, it also can be used to attach your phone to anything metal, which makes it great for selfies or using your phone for streaming or even in the car if you have metal components on your dashboard.
Another great perk of the Mag Bak is the finger strap/kickstand which helps you keep a grip on your phone when you’re on the move, or to use it hands-free. The Mag Bak also features RFID-blocking, one of the most important qualities in an iPhone wallet case, which protects credit and debit cards from unauthorized scanning. With two pockets, the Mag Bak has a generous capacity, enough for six cards and some cash.
CellHelmet MagSafe Compatible Wallet with Kickstand
Becky Mogilka, Category Manager at Batteries Plus, called out the Cellhelmet Fortitude and Cellhelmet Magnitude as two of the better iPhone cases, and this MagSafe-compatible wallet is the perfect accessory for either of those cases or any iPhone on its own. It’s just $12 on Amazon, which is a great deal, and has a built-in adjustable stand with a magnetic closure to keep the kickstand closed when you’re not using it. This compact wallet case comes in five colors, and while Cellhelmet says it’s “Credit Card and ID Safe,” they don’t specifically call it out as being RFID-blocking.
MontBlanc Sartorial Card Wallet 2cc for iPhone with MagSafe
Nobody says you have to sacrifice style or luxury when you opt for an iPhone wallet case, as this two-pocket full-grain bovine leather masterpiece from Montblanc proves. It’s truly an eye-catcher. “Are you an understated minimalist or are you trying to attract a conversation when you whip out your phone,” Boyé says. “The understated Montblanc emblem signals to others that your taste is refined. In red, it says you’re adventurous. The navy option is for the more subdued.” Like the other choices here, the Montblanc is magnetically attached and can be removed and reattached as many times as you like.
Speck Wallet For MagSafe with Clicklock
Casey Profita, CEO of Gophermods, a Minnesota-based technology repair company, says Speck is one of only two brands of iPhone case his store will carry, and this is the ideal wallet case to go with a Speck case. The Speck Wallet for MagSafe mounts solidly to a ClickLock-enabled Speck iPhone case for ultimate security, although it works with any MagSafe iPhone case, and it holds between one and three cards. Like Speck’s iPhone cases, the Speck Wallet for MagSafe comes with a Microban antimicrobial coating.
Frequently Asked Questions About iPhone Wallet Cases
What Are the Best Features in an iPhone Wallet Case?
Multi-functionality is a big one, Boyé says. “Holding cards and cash is useful, but add a kickstand or finger strap and now it’s a multi-tool.” Another good feature? RFID-blocking technology to keep your information safe.
Are iPhone Wallet Cases Compatible With All iPhones?
Always check the compatibility to be on the safe side, but unlike screen protectors and cases, most wallet cases magnetically attach to the back of your iPhone and are compact enough that variations on the size of your phone won’t affect your wallet case one bit. The magnetic attachment also lets you move your wallet case to whatever phone you like.
How Large Are iPhone Wallet Cases? What’s the Capacity Like?
It can vary from one card to as many as six, and some have an extra pocket for cash while others don’t. A silicon or similarly rubber-like material will be more forgiving if you’re trying to push in an extra card or two, but beware of stretching out the material, which would then leave you prone to having cards or cash slip out without your noticing.
